The first quarter-mark of this 2008 season came and went last Sunday. It is true that championships are not won in September alone, but it sure doesn’t hurt to get off to a good start heading into autumn.

Four more teams won’t be in action this weekend, including St. Louis and Oakland. Notably, both teams will have two weeks to prepare under new head coaches: Jim Haslett as the Rams new interim coach and Tom Cable as the Raiders new leader. Meanwhile, both the Browns and Jets stroll into the off week coming off big wins in Week 4. Read more »

At the quarter-point of the season, we have started to learn some things about many of the young players making their professional debuts. And with major injuries and plenty of scores to be had, the rookies were busy in Week 4.

Sunday proved to be full of surprises, as Felix Jones got zero touches in the Cowboys loss to Washington, and Darren McFadden took a back seat to Michael Bush as he attempted to play through a case of turf toe. Facing one of the league’s great run defenses, Chris Johnson managed to score his first and second career rushing touchdowns. Read more »

In a majority of leagues there are still plenty of capable tight ends available, but few can be trusted to produce on a weekly basis. Take, for example, Greg Olsen and Zach Miller, two gifted second-year tight ends emerging as good intermediate targets. Both struggled through three weeks but broke out in Week 4. Which version will show up in Week 5 and beyond?

Defenses are a little easer to predict because matchups often times dictate success or failure. Pickings are slim among defensive units, which makes schedule hawking all the more important. That’s where the New York Jets come in, a group that could thrive in the coming weeks despite allowing a combined 83 points in its last two games. The Carolina Panthers, meanwhile, have little upside to speak of, but allow few points and can serve as a quality bye week replacement. Read more »

The ebb and flow of the waiver wire always leaves viable options for managers in need of bye week help, but this is a week where no players will act as saviors for your floundering playoff hopes. Three distinct concepts can summarize the quarterback, running back and wide receiver positions, as owners must ponder the good and bad in potential bye-week fill-ins.

For the quarterbacks, “young vs. old” can sum up your available options. Brady Quinn, JaMarcus Russell and Joe Flacco all present some sort of upside, but their merits must be weighed against veterans lower-ceiling, more reliable veterans Brian Griese, Kerry Collins and Gus Frerotte. Chicago’s Kyle Orton falls right in the middle of the age spectrum and may just be the best, most trustworthy signal caller available after throwing three touchdown passes in Week 4. Read more »

We’re just about a quarter of the way through the season already and many leagues are beginning to take shape. If you are comfortable at the top of your league, or embarrassed while at the bottom, just remember there is still a long way to go. All it takes is some good management and your team could go from pretender to contender, or the other way around, in a matter of weeks. Just make sure you have the right players in every week.

Here is a look at some of the most intriguing Week 5 matchups. It’s all about starting quality players when they have a favorable matchup, and the most savvy owners know when it’s time to take a chance on lesser players facing softer defenses. Take the first step here – in the fourth edition of The Good, Bad and Ugly.
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